Village Journals
Resonate your identity with Naseeb journals. Express your opinions, share your thoughts, post your writings and connect with like minded people through the power of expression.
Resonate your identity with Naseeb journals. Express your opinions, share your thoughts, post your writings and connect with like minded people through the power of expression.
Sisters Attacked at Univesity of Toronto
From: "Ahmed Shama"
Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2006 22:37:10 -0800
Subject: Sisters Attacked at Univesity of Toronto
DRAFT PRESS RELEASE
March 10, 2006
Shaila Kibria.
Vice-president Equity
Students' Administrative Council
University of Toronto
p: (647) 833-4957
University of TORONTO ?
A recent disturbing incident occurred at the University of Toronto this past week. In a blatant show of anti-Semitic and Islamophobic aggression, a female Muslim student was approached in the bathroom and forcefully shoved in the chest with a flyer promoting an "Toronto supports Denmark" rally, while saying "You are Muslim, you need this". The Muslim student was then followed and further harassed. The perpetuators told the students to "... take your f***ing friend go back to your own f***ing country and f***ing bomb it...You're f***ing terrorists" The students were then charged at physically in the presence of other witnesses, who were also alarmed by the actions. The premise of "freedom of speech" was used to rationalize this Islamophobic and anti-Semitic act. This trauma has made visible and non-visible Muslims fearful of anyone with a flyer on campus.
At another incident: Eggs were thrown at female students, where visible Muslims were present, handing out peace flyers for International Womens Day.
The Student Administration Council (SAC) at the University of Toronto strongly condemns the perpetrators of these aggresions. Moreover, the Student Administration is hopeful that the University will take a definitive stance in bringing the perpetrators to face legal repercussions, once caught.
Furthermore, immediate action by University authorities is necessary so that similar incidents do not recur. These deplorable acts need to be investigated by University Administration. The pattern of incidents is not random, and the University needs to proactively demonstrate a zero tolerance policy towards hate crimes, especially those where "freedom of speech" is being used to assault other individuals for their religion, gender, creed, and orientation. The current stance taken by the University needs to be changed in order to meet the needs of protection of Muslim students. The current statement from the University of Provosts' office states "...that freedom of speech, academic freedom, and freedom of research are meaningless unless they entail the right to raise deeply disturbing questions, and provocative challenges to cherished beliefs."
Student need to feel comfort in knowing that "disturbing questions, and provocative challenges" will not lead to harm on campus."I was scared...I was thankful that the bathroom door at Hart House was open. If they weren't, we wouldn't have been able to run away in to the hall to get away from them." said the student attacked in Hart House.
This issue will be discussed tomorrow at OISE Auditorium, tomorrow, 11am, 252 Bloor St.W. Come and support non-violence and anti-Islamophobia.
Shaila Kibria
SAC Vice President Equity.
University of Toronto.
12 Hart House Circle
Toronto, Ontario
416-978-4911 x237 sac.utoronto.ca
Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2006 22:37:10 -0800
Subject: Sisters Attacked at Univesity of Toronto
DRAFT PRESS RELEASE
March 10, 2006
Shaila Kibria.
Vice-president Equity
Students' Administrative Council
University of Toronto
p: (647) 833-4957
University of TORONTO ?
A recent disturbing incident occurred at the University of Toronto this past week. In a blatant show of anti-Semitic and Islamophobic aggression, a female Muslim student was approached in the bathroom and forcefully shoved in the chest with a flyer promoting an "Toronto supports Denmark" rally, while saying "You are Muslim, you need this". The Muslim student was then followed and further harassed. The perpetuators told the students to "... take your f***ing friend go back to your own f***ing country and f***ing bomb it...You're f***ing terrorists" The students were then charged at physically in the presence of other witnesses, who were also alarmed by the actions. The premise of "freedom of speech" was used to rationalize this Islamophobic and anti-Semitic act. This trauma has made visible and non-visible Muslims fearful of anyone with a flyer on campus.
At another incident: Eggs were thrown at female students, where visible Muslims were present, handing out peace flyers for International Womens Day.
The Student Administration Council (SAC) at the University of Toronto strongly condemns the perpetrators of these aggresions. Moreover, the Student Administration is hopeful that the University will take a definitive stance in bringing the perpetrators to face legal repercussions, once caught.
Furthermore, immediate action by University authorities is necessary so that similar incidents do not recur. These deplorable acts need to be investigated by University Administration. The pattern of incidents is not random, and the University needs to proactively demonstrate a zero tolerance policy towards hate crimes, especially those where "freedom of speech" is being used to assault other individuals for their religion, gender, creed, and orientation. The current stance taken by the University needs to be changed in order to meet the needs of protection of Muslim students. The current statement from the University of Provosts' office states "...that freedom of speech, academic freedom, and freedom of research are meaningless unless they entail the right to raise deeply disturbing questions, and provocative challenges to cherished beliefs."
Student need to feel comfort in knowing that "disturbing questions, and provocative challenges" will not lead to harm on campus."I was scared...I was thankful that the bathroom door at Hart House was open. If they weren't, we wouldn't have been able to run away in to the hall to get away from them." said the student attacked in Hart House.
This issue will be discussed tomorrow at OISE Auditorium, tomorrow, 11am, 252 Bloor St.W. Come and support non-violence and anti-Islamophobia.
Shaila Kibria
SAC Vice President Equity.
University of Toronto.
12 Hart House Circle
Toronto, Ontario
416-978-4911 x237 sac.utoronto.ca